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should i crown tooth #19? or wait till it breaks down more? it was reccomended 2yrs ago, and still good, little chip on top of tooth, margin.

#19 - lower left back - very large silver filling, breaking down

should i put this in the wait and see approach, or just get it done now, i have insurance.
Poster
  • Male | 36 years old
October 03, 11:14 AM

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Featured Answer

2 UpVoted this answer Pratik Shah, DDS Dentist, Riverside David J. Darab, DDS, MS Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Hickory
I am usually conservative....When my patients have existing large restorations that are composite or amalgam, I tell them that down the line the tooth may need to be crowned. If the tooth is currently breaking down, I would recommend a crown as soon as possible. Sometimes waiting can result in a fractured tooth or more destruction that is harder to correct.
Ward Clemmons
Ward Clemmons, DDS
Dentist in Fort Smith, AR
Level: Top Contributor (41)
October 04, 01:12 AM
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2 UpVoted this answer Pratik Shah, DDS Dentist, Riverside David J. Darab, DDS, MS Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Hickory
Get it restored/fixed ASAP!!! It'll break below the gum line and need to be extracted if you're unlucky! Now you can get a simple crown on your schedule without being in pain or needing an implant. Do it ASAP!!!
Robert W. Frankel
Robert W. Frankel, DMD
Pediatric Dentist in Mount Kisco, NY
Level: Contributor (18)
Website: http://www.kidsdentalclub.com/
October 04, 01:03 AM
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1 UpVoted this answer
Since you do have a very large mercury filling, and it is chipped, I advise you to see your dentist for possible inlay onlay vs crown, which is less tooth structure removal, however if your good dentist can not do the tooth onlay procedure, then crown your tooth, before further damage such as root crack or tooth fracture with nerve damage occurs.
Anthony A Mobasser
Anthony A Mobasser, DMD
Dentist in Los Angeles, CA
Level: Key Opinion Leader (113)
Website: http://www.celebritydentist.com
November 20, 11:05 PM
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1 UpVoted this answer Pratik Shah, DDS Dentist, Riverside
Would need to actually examine you to give definitive answer. That said, sounds like you're playing Russian Roulette. Your Dentist, who knows your circumstances best, has recommended a crown. 'Nuf said.
Arnold J. Malerman
Arnold J. Malerman, DDS
Orthodontist in Dresher, PA
Level: Top Contributor (25)
Website: L&M Orthodontics
October 04, 02:56 AM
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1 UpVoted this answer Pratik Shah, DDS Dentist, Riverside
I would recommend the same thing your dentist did. You need a core build up and crown. Problem with waiting a lot of times is that your tooth will fail on you in the most inopportune moment and you then will be unha]y that you waited. Having dental insurance is also a plus. Usually you have a yearly max and you loose the benefit if it's not used. Get it done and then you wouldn't have to worry.
Alexander S. Litvinov
Alexander S. Litvinov, DDS
Dentist in Cherry Hill, NJ
Level: Top Contributor (39)
Website: Restorative Dental Arts
October 03, 10:15 PM
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1 UpVoted this answer Pratik Shah, DDS Dentist, Riverside
Seems like you should especially if your dentist recommends it.
Jeffrey M. Behar
Jeffrey M. Behar, DDS, FAGD
Dentist in Towson, MD
Level: Master Contributor (82)
October 03, 08:56 PM
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1 UpVoted this answer Pratik Shah, DDS Dentist, Riverside
Your dentist is the best source for answers since he is able to see the integrity of the tooth structure. If the tooth cannot withstand the force of occlusion, it may fracture and can result in removal instead of a crown. If in doubt, get a second opinion.
Kirk K. Yen
Kirk K. Yen, DDS, MAGD,FICOI
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon in San Jose, CA
Level: Contributor (7)
October 03, 08:36 PM
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1 UpVoted this answer Pratik Shah, DDS Dentist, Riverside
It is not a good idea to wait for a tooth to breakdown more. This can lead to pain and more expense.
Constantin Fiacos
Constantin Fiacos, DMD
Dentist in Lauderhill, FL
Level: Master Contributor (51)
October 03, 07:46 PM
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1 UpVoted this answer Pratik Shah, DDS Dentist, Riverside
Dentists should not recommend that you do crowns because you have insurance. Crowns are completed because there is a large amount of damage or filling to a tooth (see some of my other answers to your previous questions.) Waiting is a recipe for disaster. Do the filling or crown instead of leaving it alone, again as mentioned previously. Good luck.
Vasant Ramlaggan
Vasant Ramlaggan, D.D.S., H.B.Sc.
Dentist in Toronto, ON
Level: Master Contributor (51)
Website: Midtown Dental Centre
October 03, 06:58 PM
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1 UpVoted this answer Pratik Shah, DDS Dentist, Riverside
I would say that there really aren't any good reasons to not go ahead and do the crown now especially since you have insurance. If you "wait and see" it could change for the worse and even fracture into the pulp chamber making a root canal necessary , so all things considered my recommendation would be to go ahead and crown #19 and be done with it for the future.
Charles Sizemore
Charles Sizemore, DDS
Dentist in Plano, TX
Level: Top Contributor (36)
Website: http://www.drcharlessizemore.com
October 03, 06:20 PM
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